COE Watch · May 2026 · 1st Bidding 5 min read

May 2026 · 1st Bidding Results

Reviewed by The Right Workshop team Updated

This round’s story

Cat A back above $120k as motorcycles climb in May 2026

Five-category breakdown of the latest LTA bidding round, with context from the past six months.

COE quota premiums by category, May 2026 1st bidding round. Each row is one category, with its premium, its change from the previous round, its quota, the bids received and its PQP figure where LTA publishes one.
Category Quota premium Change from previous round Recent trend Quota, bids and PQP
Cat A ≤1,600cc $124,790 ↑ +1.4% Quota 1,301 · Bids 2,071May PQP $112,324
Cat B >1,600cc $126,236 ↑ +4.3% Quota 883 · Bids 1,332May PQP $114,577
Cat C Goods/Bus $87,479 ↑ +4.8% Quota 293 · Bids 511May PQP $77,884
Cat D Bikes $9,452 ↑ +1.7% Quota 529 · Bids 649May PQP $8,960
Cat E Open $127,700 ↑ +2.2% Quota 254 · Bids 479May PQP n/a

Premium Trend · All 5 Categories

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Movement vs previous bidding round iHover the % to see what it was last round

What this could mean

One read of these numbers is that demand conditions from the previous round are continuing to play out. Quota adjustments from LTA, seasonal buying patterns, and upcoming policy changes are all factors that could be influencing premiums. These are possibilities, not certainties.

Note: COE results reflect closing-bid economics for that single 4pm round.

Looking ahead

The next bidding round opens in roughly two weeks. Watch for any LTA quota announcements between now and then, since quota changes are typically the single biggest predictor of where premiums move.

Calculate your PQP renewal cost →

For 10-year owners

Thinking about renewing your COE?

PARF rebate vs 5-year vs 10-year renewal. We run the numbers, you decide. End-to-end LTA paperwork handled.

Talk to TRW about renewal →

For end-of-life cars

Time to let the car go?

Scrap offers, export logistics, body kit and tyre buy-back. We handle the LTA forms while you collect the cheque.

See export & scrap options →

Also explore Pre-Purchase Inspection

· Insurance Quotes

Understand COE

01

What is COE?

A clear explainer for first-time car buyers and new drivers in Singapore.

→ 02

How to Read COE Results

What Quota Premium, PQP, MoM and YoY actually mean when results drop.

→ 03

Cat A vs Cat B

Engine size, horsepower, and which COE category your car falls into.

→ 04

Renewal vs Scrap

Hitting your 10-year mark? How to think about renewing or scrapping.

→

COE Watch, your questions answered

When does LTA release the next COE bidding result?

LTA holds COE bidding twice a month, typically the first and third Wednesdays. Results are announced at 4pm SGT. Cole publishes the breakdown within hours of each release.

What is the difference between Cat A and Cat B?

Cat A is for cars with engines up to 1,600cc and 130bhp. Cat B is for everything above either threshold. See our full Cat A vs Cat B guide

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Can I use this round’s premium to predict the next round?

Not reliably. Each round closes on its own bid economics. The 12-month trend chart helps you see direction over time but the next single round can move sharply against the trend.

What is PQP and why is it different from the bidding premium?

PQP (Prevailing Quota Premium) is the rolling 3-month average of quota premiums. It is what you pay to renew an existing COE. Bidding premium is what new bidders pay this round. PQP lags bidding by 1 to 2 months.